A Brief Discussion On The National Characteristics Of Erhu And Erhu Art

Erhu, a string instrument with the most national characteristics of our country, is deeply popular with people. However, under the current circumstances of a drastic collision of eastern and western music culture, a westernization tendency has emerged in its performance and composition to different degrees. The study purpose of this article is to show and elaborate on the national characteristics of Erhu and Erhu art through investigating the source and properties of Euhu itself and the characteristics of Erhu art, and on this basis, to put forward some suggestions by observing and studying some phenomena of the modern Erhu performance and composition.The theoretical significance of this article lies in providing a basic theoretical foundation for Erhu teaching, Erhu performance and Erhu music composition by means of discussing the national characteristics of Erhu and Erhu art. The practical significance of the study is to offer a theoretical guide for Erhu music composers and performers so that they can create and express Erhu music in a better way.Our major research approaches of this article are: (1) Synchronic retrieval. Following the historical development course of Erhu, we draw its national transmission trajectory. (2) Diachronic study. We generalize Erhu's national aesthetic characteristics with the typical analysis method. (3) Comparison research. By comparing Erhu with western musical instrument, Erhu music with western music, we come to be clear about the national characteristics of Erhu. Meanwhile, we hold that the national characteristics of Erhu and Erhu art are the product of the syntheticalinfluence of several factors such as the linguistic characteristics, aesthetic conceptions and the folk music of our nation. They have the characteristics of uniqueness, transmission and integration, which are embodied in the following three aspects: the generation and the characteristics of Erhu in itself, the music language of Erhu music compositions and its performance skills. The westernization tendency emerged in modern Erhu composition and performance shows that, in a degree, the national characteristics of Erhu and Erhu art are ignored.